Register Now: Self-Publishing Basics for Authors

WINSTON-SALEM—Today, writers have more publishing options than ever. Indie or "self" publishing no longer holds the stigma it once did, and many authors are deciding that self-publishing offers the best combination of financial return and artistic control.

However, as the ancients knew all too well, the path to Hell is paved with good intentions: deciding to self-publish is a major decision, and would-be indie authors need to make sure they're doing it right.

On Wednesday, March 14, at 7:00 pm, writer, editor, and designer SP Rankin will lead the online class "Self-Publishing Basics for Authors."

This course is capped at forty (40) registrants, first-come, first-served. There is a $25 fee to register.

Authors interested in self-publishing their work quickly learn that writing a book is only the first step in a long journey, and navigating the process to publication can often be confusing and frustrating for the uninitiated. Understanding some of the ground rules and best practices in book production and design—whether you want to do it yourself or work with a professional—can help you publish a book to be proud of and that reflects the hard work you put into writing it. This workshop will introduce the basics of turning a manuscript into a book, including how to prepare your manuscript for production, common conventions of book interior design, cover design basics, limitations of DIY self-publishing, resources for self-publishers on a budget, tips for e-books, and working with a professional designer/service.

Sarah Park (SP) Rankin is writer and designer from Mount Holly. She currently works for the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance as editor of www.AuthorsRoundtheSouth.com, as well as in freelance book design and production. SP has designed and produced books for both traditional and print-on-demand platforms, and has worked as the photo editor for books published by Arcadia Publishing and John F. Blair, Publisher (now Blair). In 2014, SP wrote, designed, and produced Common Threads: Gastonia and Gaston County Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow(Beers & Associates). A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, SP also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Queens University of Charlotte.

"Self-Publishing Basics for Authors" is the North Carolina Writers' Network's fourth and final offering in their 2017-2018 Winter Series of online classes.

"This program is a great way for writers from all over North Carolina to connect without having the hassle of driving somewhere and finding parking," said NCWN communications director Charles Fiore. "Online classes offer top-shelf instruction for a fraction of the cost, and the software itself is very intuitive and easy to use."

The online class "Self-Publishing Basics for Authors" is available to anyone with an internet connection, or who even owns just a telephone. Instructions for accessing the online class on Wednesday, March 14, will be sent to registrants no less than twenty-four hours prior to the start of class.

The nonprofit North Carolina Writers’ Network is the state’s oldest and largest literary arts services organization devoted to writers at all stages of development. For additional information, visit www.ncwriters.org.